SPARTA – Roger R. Hamilton, 88, of Sparta, passed away at 1:57 am, Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, Illinois.

Roger was born in Sparta, Illinois, on January 5, 1935, the son of William J. and Florence Reid Hamilton. He married Marilyn Jane Darrough on June 21, 1958 in Grandcote Reformed Presbyterian Church, Coulterville, Illinois. Roger retired in 1989 after 30 years from World Color Press as Production Manager of Offset Printing in Sparta. He was a Navy Veteran, having served from 1952-1955, during the Korean Conflict on the USS Bataan. Roger was a member of Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church, Sparta, and was Church Treasurer, Chair of the Building Committee and a Deacon, and was a former member of Habitat of Humanity. Roger attended Sparta High School and was in the class of 1952. He also attended SIU-C and was in the class of 1958. Roger enjoyed traveling around the world. He visited many places with Alaska, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia being some of his favorite places. He was a devoted family man and attended many of his grandchildren's sporting events. He also loved hunting wildlife and playing cards.

Roger is survived by his wife, Marilyn Hamilton of Sparta; children, Jo Ellen (Jeff) McGee of St. Louis, MO, James R. (Molly) Hamilton of Sparta, and Jay E. (Kathy) Hamilton of Sparta; grandchildren, Alexis, Jordan, Seth, Sadie, Elise, Issac and Chad; and one great grandson, Jayden.

Roger was preceded in death by his Parents; son-in-law, Nate Harvey; and brother, William E. Hamilton.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, January 5, 2024, at Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church, Sparta, with Rev. Alex Eppstein officiating. Burial will follow at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta. Visitation will be held on Thursday at Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church on Thursday from 5 pm until 8 pm, and on Friday from 11 am until the hour of service. Memorials may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church.